We have always wanted to do a vortex tunnel, but too expensive to buy one ready made.

The hardest has been to get the large rings it requires.

We just got 2 of those hugh reels used by the power companies, they are made of about 1 inch metal tubing, and they were free. They look like giant wagon wheels or ferris wheels. We plan on cutting the spooks, so we have 4 10 feet rings.

Problem is they are a littel too big to fit in bike rims. Anyone ever used these or have any ideas of some kind of wheel they would ft in?

Thanks in advance for any tips. Maybe this idea can help you if you want to try to build a tunnel cheap.

Thorswings

06-01-2009, 05:12 AM

We made one last year. Went down and had rings made at the local metal shop out. Made it a TON cheeper than buying pre-made.

jimmyfish

06-01-2009, 11:38 PM

We tried that, ut noody wanted to take it on.

Phil Miller

06-02-2009, 06:33 AM

the rings are easy to make yourself, just use 1" x 1" x 15', 14 ga. steel tube, cut a radius out of 2 sheets of 1/2" plywood. if you want 8' rings you will have to cut 6' radius to compensate for spring back. make two halves for each ring then join them together. I screwed the plywood to a heavy table.
I use a machine shop before and they didn't make them true.

Phil

jimmyfish

06-03-2009, 12:23 AM

Phil,

Thanks for the reply, but I am not following. On one hand it seems you are saying make it out of steel tube and on the other it seems you are saying use plywood. Either one I hae no idea how to cut or bend it into a perfect circle. We hae the rings, just need to find something they will fit and roll on, too big for bike rims.

Thanks,

Jim

shawnc

06-03-2009, 08:29 AM

Take a look at this: http://cgi.ebay.com/Greenhouse-Tubing-Bender-dy-10_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ72Q3a1205Q7c66Q3a2Q 7c65Q3a12Q7c39Q3a1Q7c240Q3a1318Q7c301Q3a0Q7c293Q3a 1Q7c294Q3a50QQ_trksidZp3911Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem1 9a4a542d8QQitemZ110136476376QQptZLHQ5fDefaultDomai nQ5f0QQsalenotsupported

I think it's pretty much what Phil is talking about.

jimmyfish

06-03-2009, 10:32 PM

Oh ok. You could probably take 2 of those 10ft tubes and put them together and make a hoop.

I did do some research and found a way to make our larger hoops work, use rollers with them sitting on top and then a tire on each end of the tunnel to press against the hoop and hold it in place so it sits on te rollers without coming off. Saw a guy's pics that made it look pretty simple.

thanks for all the responses and input.

Phil Miller

06-14-2009, 03:57 PM

what I was talking about it using 2 sheets of 1/2" plywood, cut a half circle out of each piece, double up the arched plywood so you have a 1" thick Jig. screw it down to a heavy table, add a block of wood to the start of the bend to hold the metal against the Jig. you will make two halves and connect them together with a smaller tube that fits inside, use self taper screws. to make sure your rings are true take a string and marker, mark the full circle your trying to achieve on concrete floor.
as for the bike rims, use 10, 4" x 2" wide urethane wheels. to keep the cylinder from running of the rings use 4 skateboard wheels, two on each side of the end rings.

scareshack

06-14-2009, 05:47 PM

Saw this thread and had to add this.

Kinda different yet.....well heres link.

http://timepasses.com/vortex/vortex3.html

freak 'n' stein

06-14-2009, 08:11 PM

We have always wanted to do a vortex tunnel, but too expensive to buy one ready made.

The hardest has been to get the large rings it requires.

We just got 2 of those hugh reels used by the power companies, they are made of about 1 inch metal tubing, and they were free. They look like giant wagon wheels or ferris wheels. We plan on cutting the spooks, so we have 4 10 feet rings.

Problem is they are a littel too big to fit in bike rims. Anyone ever used these or have any ideas of some kind of wheel they would ft in?

Thanks in advance for any tips. Maybe this idea can help you if you want to try to build a tunnel cheap.

For $200...they did a pretty good job...you could mod it a bit for your needs I suppose: http://www.hauntforum.com/showthread.php?t=13672

KroneDaddy

06-15-2009, 08:43 AM

Check out Oliver Holler's Video. If they are out of stock , contact him directly at the Ghosts and Legends Theater in Myrtle Beach SC,

That's a book that he wrote. And no offense but it is extremely short on details for the important parts. This board alone has more and better information than the book.

KroneDaddy

06-15-2009, 09:20 PM

That's a book that he wrote. And no offense but it is extremely short on details for the important parts. This board alone has more and better information than the book.
Sorry I thought it was the very informative video he produced on the Tunnel. My mistake.